With the general election kicking in and farmer protests advocating for higher crop prices, the surge in essential item prices is a pressing concern for consumers. Union Minister Piyush Goyal recently addressed these concerns in an interview with PTI, assuring that the government is actively implementing measures to alleviate stress on household budgets. Goyal emphasized the government’s commitment to preventing spikes in prices, particularly during the elections.
He highlighted the significant expenditure of approximately Rs 28,000 crore over the past few years for price stabilization and combating food inflation. Goyal discussed various government initiatives aimed at controlling prices of essential food items such as onions, tomatoes, pulses, and others, thereby preventing substantial increases in this category.
Goyal provided examples of price increases in tomatoes due to adverse weather conditions in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Karnataka. He explained that the government promptly intervened by procuring tomatoes from alternative regions to bolster supplies nationwide. “We ensured that elevated prices did not persist for long. Government intervention led to a return to normal price levels,” he affirmed.
Furthermore, Goyal mentioned similar efforts undertaken during price hikes in onions and pulses, demonstrating the government’s proactive approach to stabilizing essential item prices.
